Vlll PREFACE. 



is the question of the alteration of generic names, about the 

 priority of which there can be little or no uncertainty. I 

 allude to some of the names brought to light by the diligent 

 research of our colleague Dr. Stejneger in America ; such, for 

 instance, as the adoption of Plectrofhenax instead of Plectro- 

 phanes for the Snow-Buntings, and the name sEgithalus instead 

 of Acredula for the Long-tailed Tits. It is much better to face 

 these changes fairly and squarely, and by their adoption, if they 

 are found to be correct, to introduce an uniform system of 

 nomenclature on both sides of the globe. 



In a work of the present size, published at a price which 

 it is hoped will place it within the reach of every student, it 

 has been found impossible to figure every species. The plates 

 have all been coloured from specimens in the British Museum, 

 and several pictures by Mr. Keulemans have been added to 

 illustrate certain representative species of British Birds, while 

 others will be given in the succeeding volumes. 



My especial thanks are due to the Council of the Royal 

 College of Surgeons for permission to use the woodcuts from 

 their " Osteological " Catalogue ; to Mr. Howard Saunders for 

 the kindly help he has rendered during the progress of the 

 volume through the press ; and to Mr. Robert Read, who wa. 

 good enough to send us some original notes on nests and eggs, 

 which unfortunately reached me too late to be included in their 

 entirety. 



R. BOWDLER SHARPE. 



